247Sports ranked Josh Downs as a top-100 prospect entering college, where he committed to North Carolina. Downs played as a true freshman in a limited role. In four games, he caught seven passes for 19 yards and three touchdowns on an offense that featured Javonte Williams and Michael Carter catching passes out of the backfield and 2021 NFL Draft picks Dyami Brown and Dazz Newsome playing at wide receiver.
With all four of the aforementioned players departed from North Carolina the following season, Downs emerged as the alpha receiver in the offense. He caught 101 passes for 1335 yards and 8 touchdowns. The rest of the North Carolina offense combined for 136 receptions. The following season saw Downs put up a second-consecutive 1000 yard season with 11 receiving touchdowns. He ends his three-year career at North Carolina as a two-time First-Team All-ACC player.
